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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

Hope all are doing fine. Iam just starting to learn Linux. My 1st doubt is can we dual boot on Lap with Redhat linux RHEL6 and windows 7.When i installed RHEL6 1st time my windows was over writed and i could only see Redhat in my lap. My windows is gone.

2nd thing : Iam okie with RHEL6 OS but the thing is can i use wifi, VLC , etc in this ?? and my external Hard disk is not showing in Redhat .

Kindly guide me as iam newbie to linux and i searched in google over 10 to 20 sites but no use still not able mount my HDD.

The number of systems you can boot from one computer is limited primarily by the size of your hard drive. Why are you using Red Hat? In order to get any security update or download any software after the trial period, you need to pay an annual subscription fee. Do you want a system to use as a server or just a Desktop system? I've not used Red Hat but most Linux operating systems will give you options as to where to install so that you do not overwrite another system already installed. Explaining what you plan to use the OS for might give others some ideas to suggest if Red Hat is a good choice or something else would be more suitable.

Yes, you can dual-boot Windows and Linux. I have a box over there that dual-boots Win7 and Mageia (it used to dual-boot Win7 and Mint). Whether its a laptop or a desktop doesn't really have any bearing on the question.

You do need to be careful not to overwrite your existing OS install (which seems likely to be what happened the last time) and instead install along side it. This normally requires shrinking a partition, then creating new partitions (normally / and /swap) to receive the install. I'd suggest reading the install guide for your distro of choice carefully before touching a key.

My Win7 takes up four primary partitions. This is not an issue for Linux; you can shrink a primary partition, created an extended partition, and install Linux to the extended partition quite happily. It's only DOS and Windows that insists on being installed to a primary partition.

I assume you have a compelling reason for using Red Hat or a clone thereof. Unless you have a Red Hat subscription, I would suggest using CentOS. If you don't have a compelling reason for using RHEL, I'd suggest Mint, because its installer is very friendly.

I used to have all my laptops dual-booting Windows and Linux. Eventually I realized that I spent more time just patching Windows than ever USING it, so now I only have 1, but yeah, very easy to do. The thing is that you need to install Windows first, and leave enough unformatted disk space to then install Linux into (or try to shrink Windows which it's not very friendly with anymore). By default RHEL wants to take over the entire disk, and I'm guessing you may have allowed it to do so.